Americans are once again heeding the siren’s song of the open road and the great outdoors. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) expects RV manufacturers to produce and ship approximately 533,356 new RVs to customers and dealerships around the nation in 2021, up 24% from the 430,412 RVs produced and shipped in 2020.
So, what is driving this unprecedented surge in RV popularity? It turns out that the reasons people are turning to RVing are as many and as varied as the people themselves. Let’s explore some of the most popular reasons folks of all ages and backgrounds are jumping on the RV trend.
There is no question that recent economic concerns have played a huge role in the increased interest in RVs. Americans at every stage of life, from retired empty nesters to Millennials, are looking for ways to downsize their lifestyle and reduce their living expenses. With more and more RVs now coming equipped with full-size appliances and furnishings crafted by the same big-name brands that populate home living rooms around the country, it has become easier and easier to see an RV as a true home on wheels. For example, Rockwood RV models can be equipped with Murphy beds that fold up and out of the way when not in use and drop down to provide a quality full, queen, or even king-size mattress depending on the size and style of RV.
With the recent decline in gas prices, some have turned to RVs as a more economical way to travel the country and explore new places without the high cost of airfare, rental cars, and hotel stays.
Others have gone all-in by trading in their permanent address for a full-time nomadic existence. This option has become increasingly popular with Millennials looking for a low-cost alternative to a pricey mortgage and sky-high utility bills. Rockwood RV Signature models offer interior features like fireplaces, theater-style seating, LED televisions, and ceiling fans, just like a traditional home.
Another key factor behind the rising popularity of RV life is the growing shift away from a static office-based work environment and into a more flexible, remote work system. This new style of work means Americans are no longer tethered to a particular location by their employer; they are now able to earn a steady income from anywhere they like. As a result, more and more Americans are ditching the time clock and the crowded cities in favor of a more relaxed and peaceful RV lifestyle.
Homeschooling was, until very recently, relatively rare. Now, due to the increased health safety concerns brought about by the pandemic as well as the increased mobility and flexibility of the work environment, more and more parents are opting to homeschool their children. The new interest in homeschooling, or roam schooling, as it is increasingly called, has driven an increase in the quantity and quality of educational tools and materials that make it easier than ever for parents to move about the country without sacrificing their children’s education.
The last decade of technological advancements has expanded access to reliable, inexpensive network connections in nearly every area of the country. While the work is by no means complete, the groundwork has been established, and there is at least some degree of connectivity available in all but the most remote of locations. Let’s have a look at some of the best options.
Select Rockwood trailers now come equipped with the new WiFiRanger Sky4 Wi-Fi router and signal booster as part of the standard equipment package enabling Rockwood RV owners to enjoy a reliable, fast, and best of all secure internet connection using an available Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, or LTE signal.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2020, followed by the subsequent quarantines and travel restrictions, has made many Americans a little more reluctant to hop on a crowded airplane for a cross-country flight. This health-related hesitancy is likely to remain for some time to come. RV travel allows vacationers to control every aspect of their environment at every step of the journey.
There is no need to wonder who was staying in the hotel room before you or how well the surfaces were cleaned and sanitized before your arrival. There is no need to wonder if the rental car steering wheel or door handles were cleaned after the last use or who was riding in the back of the taxicab or shuttle before you. With RV travel, you have the assurance and peace of mind knowing that you and your family are the only ones to use your space.
Social distancing is a cinch with RV travel. With thousands of RV parks, campgrounds, and boondocking sites to choose from, you can easily select the level of social interaction you are comfortable with on any given day.
The health benefits extend well beyond merely staying safe from the pandemic. Many RV owners who have made RVing a full-time lifestyle have found that long-term physical and mental health challenges like high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression have magically disappeared since embarking on their new nomadic journey. Rockwood RV owners often report sleeping better than they ever have, eating healthier meals and enjoying meal prep and family dinners more, and finding a much deeper level of satisfaction in their relationships with their partner and their children. Though it may seem a bit counterintuitive, full-time RVers frequently report that the friendships that they have formed within their nomadic lifestyle feel much more meaningful and permanent than many of the long-term friendships formed in their previous traditional life.
There has been a marked shift away from commercialization and a return to a more grassroots style of doing business. This shift has led to a rise in marketplaces and services that hook RV owners up with people looking to rent an RV for a weekend getaway or those who wish to try out RV life for a weekend or two before committing to purchasing an RV of their own. This new person-to-person RV rental market offers several key benefits that have served to propel interest in RV ownership even higher.
By renting out their Rockwood trailers when not in use, Rockwood RV owners are able to offset a significant portion of the original purchase price of their RV. Knowing that they can easily recoup some of their initial investment by renting out their RV to others gives potential Rockwood RV buyers a little extra wiggle room when it comes to their RV shopping budget and allows them to get the Rockwood RV model that meets all of their needs instead of having to sacrifice space or comfort to save dollars.
The increase in RV rental opportunities also means that prospective RV owners can try out a variety of different RV sizes and styles to get a feel for what they like and don’t like before they commit to a purchase. The advantage of this ultimate test drive opportunity for RV shoppers cannot be overstated. There is no better way to find out if you and your significant other can co-exist peacefully in a small class C motorhome or tiny tow-behind travel trailer than to give it a whirl for a weekend. You may find the coziness is everything you imagined, or you may decide that a larger fifth-wheel trailer or class A motorhome that offers more personal space is a better fit. Of course, the reverse is true as well. Consider renting a Rockwood RV prior to making your purchase. There are so many styles and sizes of Rockwood trailers to choose from; why not try out several to make sure your final purchase is the Rockwood RV of your dreams.
At the end of the day, the biggest driver of the recent surge in the popularity of RV ownership is a combination of many of the factors discussed above, all coming together to create a newfound urge to live life to the fullest while we have the chance. If the challenges and the triumphs of the last year have taught us nothing else, they have opened our eyes to the uncertainty of life. This epiphany has fueled the growth of the “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) mindset. A Rockwood RV offers the financial freedom and the freedom of movement that allows Americans to truly get out there and experience everything that life has to offer right now instead of putting it off until some better time that may never arrive.
We are not just looking for a quick sale. We want a long-term relationship with ALL of our customers built on trust, integrity, fairness, service and support.
